THIRTEEN rounds of pain came to an end for Myrtleford on Saturday.
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The Saints broke their 2016 duck with a come-from-behind victory over fellow cellar-dwellars Albury, 36-34, at McNamara Reserve.
Trailing at every break, Myrtleford was able to get its noses in front for the siren that mattered and bank its first points for the season.
Saints coach Bailey Lang said it was a well-deserved breakthrough.
“We were actually feeling reasonably good after playing North Albury last weekend,” she said.
“Over the last month or so a few things have started to fall into place.
“Our defence couldn't have done much more over the course of the season, but it was our attack that really came together.
“We hadn't had any meaningful play from that area until now, we'd been impatient and made poor choices.”
Myrtleford shooters Emma Botter and Amber Quirk combined for 18 goals each, while Tigers duo Claire Wilson and Lauren Coelli finished with 21 and 13 respectively.
The Saints have once again been forced to field a young side in 2016, but Lang said they were starting to come to grips with what is required at A grade level.
“We're a young side again, and it takes time to adjust to A grade,” she said.
“But I think the girls are starting to get there, it's difficult to come straight from under-16s, or B and C grade straight into the top level.
“You can't put an old head on young shoulders.
“Most of the girls who have come into the side this season are under 21, they've been on a big learning curve.”
In other matches last weekend, North Albury distanced itself from the chasing Wangaratta Rovers with a thrilling 47-45 win.
The Hoppers led at every change, but the Rovers refused to give in.
They seized at one point in the lead in the final term, but the Hoppers found another gear to earn a six-point buffer on the ladder.
Elsewhere, Yarrawonga was too good for Wodonga, Corowa-Rutherglen defeated Wodonga Raiders and Lavington defeated Wangaratta.